An investigation into the cause of the blaze has been undertaken and it has been confirmed that it started accidentally.

Initial news release

SEVEN fire engines were called to a building fire at a unit in Wardley Industrial Estate, Shield Drive, Wardley, just after 5am today.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Fire Service initially mobilised two fire engines to the scene after receiving an emergency 999 call and reports that smoke could be scene coming from the building.

But the incident was immediately scaled up and a total of five more fire engines and around 30 firefighters were mobilised to tackle the fire in the unit that is about 30 metres by 60 metres in size.

The fire was in the ground floor of the industrial premises and firefighters tackled it by splitting it into two sectors and deploying two teams of four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using hose reels to put it out.

Crew from the Technical Response Unit (TRU) were also mobilised to help lift roller shutter doors at the unit which provided ventilation to the fire. The air unit was deployed to provide as much information to the incident commander as possible and thermal imaging cameras were able to reassure crew that the fire had not spread to neighbouring units.

The incident was scaled down to three fire engines at 7am when two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using a hose reel are currently 'damping down'.